Montenegro Explorer

Montenegro

Culture

Sublime mountains, Ottoman coastal towns and glacial lakes

7 days Ask us for pricing This is the price per person for a private tour (based on 2 people travelling) excluding international flights. Contact us for pricing for other group sizes including individuals.
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Intro, Dates & Prices

Intro

Uncover the rich history of fascinating Montenegro as you travel across dramatic mountain scenery and wander through quaint villages. Observe a blend of identity and culture in the Ottoman architecture of capital Podgorica before marvelling at the spectacular gorge of the River Tara. Journey up to Zabljak and explore its iconic glacial lakes before taking in the breathtaking views from the cliff-side Monastery Ostrog. Spot the different bird species as you take a boat ride on Lake Skadar, enjoy a breathtaking journey to Njegos Mausoleum and Mount Lovcen, and sample the famous ham in laid back Njegusi. Relax in the picturesque medieval towns of Budva and Kotor, and visit the old village surrounding the bay of Boka, all the while soaking up the picture-perfect mountain scenery.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Ottoman architecture of Podgorica
  • Spectacular Tara gorge
  • See the Monastery Ostrog perched on the cliffs
  • The pretty Riviera town of Budva
  • Sample Njegusi's famous ham
  • The medieval monuments of Kotor

Places Visited

Podgorica - Zabljak - Biograd Lake - Lake Skadar - Budva - Kotor - Perast

What's Included

Arrival & departure transfers
Ground transport with driver
Accommodation
Meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan)
English-speaking guides
Entrance fees to sites & parks

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Itinerary
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Overview Itinerary Detailed Itinerary
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Day 1 : Arrival in Podgorica

Arrive into Podgorica, where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Podgorica. 

Meal plan: n/a

Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro. Throughout history it has undergone five name changes, been wiped off the map completely twice, and has been occupied by the Romans, Turks and the Austro-Hungarians. Little remains however other than a small amount of traditional Ottoman architecture.

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Day 2 : Podgorica - Zabljak

Depart Podgorica and travel to Biograd Lake, before continuing your journey along the River Tara to Zabljak. Overnight stay in Zabljak.

Meal plan: Breakfast

Biograd Lake is a National Park protected by law since 1872 by King Nikola. It is one of the last three virgin woods left in Europe, where many trees are more than 500 years old and 40-50 metres high. The park has a wide variety of flora and fauna, but the central attraction is its large glacial lake.

River Tara, a UNESCO site, has its source in the mountains at the northern part of the country and runs 140km before it joins River Piva, forming one of the largest and richest rivers in the Balkans. For centuries, Tara eroded the soft limestone, forming a spectacular gorge, measuring 82 km long and in some places up to 1,300m deep, making it the deepest river canyon in Europe. It resides within the Durmitor National Park. 

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Day 3 : Zabljak

Spend the day exploring Zabljak, visiting its iconic glacial lakes. Take a cable car ride, where you will enjoy scenic views of the city from above. Overnight in Zabljak.

Meal plan: Breakfast

Zabljak, a small village near Durmitor Mountain, lies at the very centre of the vast and wonderful Durmitor National Park. Zabljak is 1,456 m above sea level and is the highest town in the Balkans. It is surrounded by 23 hill tops, the highest of which is 2,300m. Within the territory of the National Park there are 17 glacial lakes known as the 'eyes of the mountains', the most famous being Black Lake.

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Day 4 : Zabljak - Budva

Travel to Mount Durmitor, stopping at the cliff-side Monastery Ostrog. Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Skadar, before later driving along the Adriatic coast to Budva. Overnight in Budva. 

Meal plan: Breakfast

The mythical Monastery Ostrog is placed on a cliff like an eagles nest, high up above the road. This monastery was, and still is, a place of many pilgrims, as it houses the remains of St. Vasilije Ostrozki, a Serbian Saint. At the time a high priest form Herzegovina, he was later canonized as a saint with magical healing powers.  The monastery was renovated in 1926 after a devastating fire, which luckily spared the main treasures of the Monastery, which are still visible today. These include the Church of St. Vavedelja, with its fresco paintings from the end of the 17th century and the church of St. Cross, located in the upper monastery level, also with exceptional frescos. The monastery attracts Orthodox, Catholic and Muslim pilgrims, as it is believed that St. Vasilije still has its magic healing power. 

Lake Skadar lies on the border of Montenegro and Albania, and is the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula. Home to 270 bird species, including some of the last pelicans in Europe, Skadar is one of the largest bird reserves on the continent. There are some interesting architectural gems on small islands on the lake, like Beška, which has two churches on it, and Grmožur, on the southwest side of the lake, which has a former fortress and prison. The Montenegrin side of the lake is a national park, whilst the Albanian side has been included in the Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance.
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Day 5 : Budva

Travel to Njegos Mausoleum and Mount Lovcen, before continuing to Njegusi. Enjoy a ham and cheese tasting experience, before proceeding to Cetinje. On arrival, visit the Palace of King Nikola II - Montenegro's last king. Overnight in Budva. 

Meal plan: Breakfast

King Nikola's Palace can be found in Cetinje where, for more than 50 years, it served as the seat of the royal family. The palace was built between 1863 and 1867 in a typical style of Cetinje houses combined with architectural elements of neoclassicism. In 1926 it became a museum, which now houses exhibitions including the Montenegrin crown jewels. 

Budva is one of the oldest places in the area, inhabited since Illyrian times. The old town dates from the medieval period and is one of the prettiest towns on the Riviera. The typical architecture of narrow streets and stone buildings surrounding the cathedral, make this town a true highlight of Montenegro.

Cetinje was once, in the time of Njegos, the capital of Montenegro. It doesn’t have a strong fort like many other important capitals from its time because nature blessed this place with natural stone protections. The town was founded in 1482, when Ivan Crnojević, the last ruler of the medieval country of Zeta, built a palace for himself as well as a church. Cetinje stayed the heart and soul of Montenegro all the way up to WW1. The Royal Palace of King Nikola II, who was the last King of Montenegro, contains a beautiful small museum and the Monastery of St. Petar.

The typical, laid-back village of Njegusi is the birth place of Petar Petrovic. In many ways, the villagers still live a very traditional way of life. The village has been famous since Yugoslav times for its high-quality cured hams.

A breathtaking drive is passing by the Mount of Lovcen, where at the top, we can spot the Mausoleum of Peter II Petrovic - Njegos, the absolute pride of the people of Montenegro. Njegos was ruler of the country in the second half of the 19th century. He was also the head of the Orthodox Church and a leading poet and writer whose achievements are still taught in the schools of Sebia and Montenegro. The impressive monument at the top of Mt. Lovcen where Njegos was laid to rest is decorated with a statue sculpted by the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic.

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Day 6 : Budva - Kotor - Budva

Travel around the bay of Boka, visiting the villages of Risan, Perast and Herceg Novi. Later, enjoy a walking tour of Kotor before returning to Budva. Overnight in Budva.

Meal plan: Breakfast

The World Heritage Site of Kotor is a town which was inhabited from the times of the Illyrians and the Romans. The walking tour through the city takes us back to medieval times as most of the monuments we observe are from the 14th to 18th centuries. You will also visit the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, St. Luka Church and St. Mihail Church amongst other sites. 

Herceg Novi is a medieval town founded by the Bosnian King Tvrdko in 1382. The town played a very important role in the trade and economy of whole area in the 14th and 15th centuries, even after it was given to the Turks at the end of the 15th century. The town was ruled at times by Venice, Austria-Hungary, Russia, and France before it was finally given to Montenegro in 1918. 

Boka Kotorksa, or the Bay of Kotor, is a beautiful winding bay on the Adriatic Sea.

The town of Risan is in southern Montenegro and is one of the oldest settlements in the bay of Kotor, dating back to the 3rd century BC. This small port town, famous for its mosaics, is set amongst the picturesque limestone cliffs of the Orjen Mountains.

The old town of Perast, in the bay of Kotor, is set at the foot of St. Elijah Hill. Although small in size, with only one main street, it has 16 churches, 17 once grand palazzos and several 17th and 18th century palaces. A short boat ride away lie two beautiful island churches.

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Day 7 : Departure

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. 

Meal plan: Breakfast

Extensions

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Mix and match Montenegro

Experience the Montenegro way of life

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Discover Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro & Bosnia

Montenegro Explorer (7 days)

Sublime mountains, Ottoman coastal towns and glacial lakes

Reviews

We were looking for a land tour in the Balkans and contacted Travel The Unknown. The staff were very responsive in setting up a private tour schedule for us that proved to be perfect and reasonable in cost. We have just got back from our travels and can say that it was certainly a good choice The itinerary was varied and interesting and the accommodation well chosen. The quality and price of the food and wine in the region were an added bonus. Our drivers/guides were friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. They went out of their way to accommodation our interests and preference.s Highly recommended!

Raymond & Janet Sterling (USA) , Tailormade Balkans

The Balkans is a fascinating part of the world to visit with such complex histories. Wonderful scenery, great food, terrific variety of accommodation and especially loved the vineyards and wine tastings! Albania was such a surprise package! So much more than we anticipated and so much to see and do in this small country. Stunning scenery and roads generally better than we expected. Go before the rest of the world discovers this gem.

Laurel & Paul Smallwood , Balkan Odyssey & Albanian Odyssey, Balkans

A very well planned trip conducted by good drivers in well kept cars. Excellent commentary and we learnt a lot more than we expected about the countries and cites we visited. Definitely recommended.

Jim Mackay , Tailormade Balkans
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